Methods and apparatuses for determining preferred content using a temporal metadata table

ABSTRACT

A broadcast system, method and apparatus providing content on demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for rating content to be broadcast or to be broadcast potentially from a server. Additional aspects of particular embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for automatically managing storage resources of client systems. For one embodiment of the present invention, a user consumes a number of data files each having an associated temporal metadata table (TMDT). Each TMDT contains a plurality of time-indexed entries, each entry containing metadata describing a segment of the corresponding data file. The TMDT and user interaction during consumption of a one or more data files are used to create a preference profile table (PPT) for the user. The PPT is stored at the client system and is used to evaluate subsequent content. Such evaluation is used to determine broadcast schedules or automatically manage storage resources.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to broadcastsystems and, more specifically, to determining preferred content usingtemporal metadata and personal preference profiles.

BACKGROUND

Broadcast systems traditionally transmit data in one direction from aserver system to a plurality of client systems. Users of the clientsystems typically consume the signals received from the server system asthey are broadcast. A concern for broadcasters is determining whatcontent to broadcast. Currently it is difficult for most users of theclient systems to provide feedback to broadcasters with regard toprogramming. For example, many of today's television programbroadcasters rely upon Neilson ratings to determine broadcastprogramming and/or scheduling. Neilson ratings are generally based upononly a small sampling of a cross-section of the public. Broadcaster mayalso consider user reaction to content metadata. For example, contentdatabases can provide metadata describing a wide range of films. Suchmetadata does not take into account that some portions of the contentmay be of interest to particular users while other portions may not be.This may yield an average rating for the entire content but cannot beused to determine the specific portions of the content that are ofinterest. Consequently, most television viewers have relatively littleimpact on broadcast schedules and/or content.

Once broadcasters have determined which content to broadcast, individualusers may wish to capture (store) a limited subset of the broadcastcontent that is of interest to them. For example, a user may record adesired television program on a videocassette recorder (VCR) or store adigital broadcast on the internal hard drive of a digital videorecorder. Typically, a user is required to explicitly set the criteriaused (e.g. date, time) to determine which broadcasts are stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a broadcastsystem in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of abroadcast system in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a processing systemrepresentative of a client or a server in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a temporal metadata table in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram that illustrates the process ofcreating a preference profile table (PPT) using a TMDT in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate an exemplary PPT in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram that illustrates the process ofdetermining a broadcast schedule in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram that illustrates the process by which aPPT is used to automatically manage the storage resources of a clientsystem in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Alternative embodiments of the present invention provide methods andapparatuses for rating content to be broadcast or to be broadcastpotentially from a server. Additional aspects of particular embodimentsof the invention provide methods and apparatuses for automaticallymanaging storage resources of client systems.

For one embodiment of the present invention, a user consumes a number ofprograms each having an associated temporal metadata table (TMDT). TheTMDT and user interaction during consumption of the program content areused to create a preference profile table (PPT) for the user. The PPT isstored at the client system and is used to evaluate subsequent content.The broadcaster subsequently broadcasts a TMDT for all potentialbroadcast content. Each TMDT is mapped to the PPT in order to score orrate the content associated with the TMDT. The broadcaster uses anaggregate of scores from many users to determine whether or not tobroadcast the particular content. Thus, the broadcaster determines abroadcast schedule.

For one embodiment of the present invention, the PPT on each clientsystem is used to automatically manage the storage resources of theparticular client system. As content is broadcast, the associated TMDTis mapped to a user's PPT. Each broadcast program is rated and therating is used to determine which programs will be stored.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments of thepresent invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that alternative embodiments of the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than indetail, in order to avoid obscuring the description of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a broadcast system in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a server 103 isconfigured to broadcast information to a plurality of clients 105, 107and 109. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, client 105 receives abroadcast from server 103 through a link 115 from a broadcast antenna111. Similarly, client 107 receives a broadcast from server 103 througha link 117 and client 109 receives a broadcast from server 103 through alink 119 from broadcast antenna 111. In one embodiment of the invention,links 115, 117 and 119 are uni-directional wireless radio frequency (RF)links from broadcast antenna in a format such as for example, but notlimited to known amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM)radio signals, television (TV) signals, digital video broadcast (DVB)signals or the like, which are broadcast through the atmosphere.

Server 103 is configured to broadcast a plurality of data files, whichmay be received by clients 105, 107 and 109. The data files may be anycombination of a number of different types of files including forexample video, audio, graphics, text, multi-media or the like. Forexample the data files may be audio/video files, such as programs withmoving images and sound. However, it will be appreciated that the datafiles broadcast in accordance with the teachings of various embodimentsof the present invention are not limited only to audio/video files. Forexample, the data files may be the TMDT associated with such programs.

As shown in FIG. 1, clients 105, 107, and 109, are linked with server103 with communication links 121, 123, and 125, respectively. Links 121,123, and 125, are used by clients 105, 107 and 109, respectively, tosend information back to server 103. For example, ratings for potentialbroadcast content may be transmitted from the clients to the server vialinks 121, 123, and 125, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Although links 121, 123 and 125 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as directlinks between clients 105, 107, and 109 and server 103, it isappreciated that clients 105, 107 and 109 may communicate information toserver 103 through indirect links including but not limited tobroadcasted wireless signals, network communications or the like.

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a broadcast system in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A,bi-directional links 115, 117 and 119 enable clients 105, 107 and 109 tocommunication information to server 103. The communication between theserver 103 and clients 105, 107 and 109 is effected through a network113. In one embodiment of the invention, network 113 may be any type ofcommunications network through which a plurality of different devicesmay communicate such as for example but not limited to the Internet, awide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), an intranet, or thelike.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a processingsystem 201 that may be used for the server 103, or clients 105, 107 or109 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Foralternative embodiments of the present invention, processing system 201may be a computer or a set top box that includes a processor 203 coupledto a bus 207. In one embodiment, memory 205, storage 211, displaycontroller 209, communications interface 213, input/output controller215 and audio controller 227 are also coupled to bus 207.

Processing system 201 interfaces to external systems throughcommunications interface 213. Communications interface 213 may include aradio transceiver compatible with AM, FM, TV, digital TV, DVB, wirelesstelephone signals or the like. Communications interface 213 may alsoinclude an analog modem, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)modem, cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, a T-1 lineinterface, a T-3 line interface, an optical carrier interface (e.g.OC-3), token ring interface, satellite transmission interface, awireless interface or other interfaces for coupling a device to otherdevices.

For one embodiment of the present invention, a carrier wave signal 223is received by communications interface 213 to communicate with antenna111. In one embodiment of the present invention, carrier wave signal 225is received/transmitted between communications interface 213 and network113. In one embodiment of the present invention, a communications signal225 may be used to interface processing system 201 with another computersystem, a network hub, router or the like. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, carrier wave signals 223 and 225 are considered to bemachine readable media, which may be transmitted through wires, cables,optical fibers or through the atmosphere, or the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, processor 203 may be aconventional microprocessor, such as for example but not limited to anIntel x86 or Pentium family microprocessor, a Motorola familymicroprocessor, or the like. Memory 205 may be a machine-readable mediumsuch as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and may include staticrandom access memory (SRAM). Display controller 209 controls in aconventional manner a display 219, which in one embodiment of theinvention may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display(LCD), an active matrix display, a television monitor or the like. Theinput/output device 217 coupled to input/output controller 215 may be akeyboard, disk drive, printer, scanner and other input and outputdevices, including a television remote, mouse, trackball, trackpad,joystick, or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, audiocontroller 227 controls in a conventional manner audio output 231, whichmay include for example audio speakers, headphones, an audio receiver,amplifier or the like. In one embodiment of the invention, audiocontroller 227 also controls in a conventional manner audio input 229,which may include for example a microphone or input(s) from an audio ormusical device, or the like.

Storage 211 may include machine-readable media such as for example butnot limited to a magnetic hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, asmart card or another form of storage for data. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, storage 211 may include removable media, read-onlymedia, readable/writable media or the like. Some of the data may bewritten by a direct memory access process into memory 205 duringexecution of software in computer system 201. It is appreciated thatsoftware may reside in storage 211, memory 205 or may be transmitted orreceived via modem or communications interface 213. For the purposes ofthe specification, the term “machine readable medium” shall be taken toinclude any medium that is capable of storing data, information orencoding a sequence of instructions for execution by processor 203 tocause processor 203 to perform the methodologies of the presentinvention. The term “machine readable medium” shall be taken to include,but is not limited to solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks,carrier wave signals, and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a broadcast system, such asthat illustrated in FIG. 1, is configured to have a server broadcast aplurality of data files, each having an associated TMDT, to a pluralityof clients. The TMDT contains a set of descriptors or attribute valuesthat describe segments of the data file content. As will be discussed ingreater detail below, the TMDT provides information that enables eachclient system to create a PPT.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the TMDT ofsubsequent potential broadcast data files is mapped to the PPTs to ratethe potential broadcast data files. Such ratings are communicated to theserver and used by the broadcaster to determine broadcast schedules andcontent of future server broadcasts. As will be discussed, variousembodiments of the present invention utilize the TMDT and the PPT forclient-side filtering, storage management and other personalizationtechniques as well as.

Temporal Metadata Table (TMDT)

A TMDT, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, iscreated by temporally segmenting a piece of content (a data file) andusing metadata to describe each segment of the content separately. FIG.3 illustrates a TMDT in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. Table 300, shown in FIG. 3, includes five entries, 1-5. Eachentry has a time index indicating the starting point of a data filesegment. The starting point of each segment is relative to the beginningof the data file. Each entry also contains metadata relevant to the timeindex for that entry.

The metadata may describe the segment of the data file in various ways.For example, metadata may be based upon the primary defining attributesof the segment it describes. Such attributes may include genre (e.g.,action, suspense, comedy, etc), scene location, and actor. For eachattribute noted, a value is specified. For example, entry 1 of FIG. 3has a time index of 0 sec. indicating the beginning of a movie. Themetadata associated with entry 1 describes the segment of the data fileas having an action genre, taking place in Paris, with actor Jones. Thatis, the attribute genre has a value of action; the attribute locationhas a value of Paris; and the attribute actor has a value of Jones.Entry 2 has a time indicator of 15 sec. which indicates that 15 secondsinto the movie the metadata has changed. The genre remains action, butthe location has changed to New York and the actor to Smith. Entry 3indicates that at 100 seconds the genre has changed to suspense. Theentire film is segmented in this way and appropriate descriptivemetadata is generated for each segment. Thus, a TMDT provides a moredetailed description for each segment of the data file than metadatathat describes the data file content as a whole.

The data file may be segmented in various ways according to alternativeembodiments of the invention. For example, segments may be of a specificor varying time duration or the data file may be segmented by scenes (aunit of continuous action in a film comprising one or more shots),I-frames, or some other unit. For example, the data file may besegmented whenever there is a change in one or more attributes.

The number of entries in a TMDT is dependent upon the length of the datafile, the amount of granularity required, and the frequency with whichthe metadata changes. For example, a TMDT for a movie may have an entryfor each scene, or even multiple entries per scene. Therefore, a TMDTfor a typical full-length feature film may have hundreds of entries.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the processingsystem is configured to process a TMDT with varying formats and numberof entries. This allows different approaches in creating a TMDT fordiffering content and also allows the TMDT to be refined over time bothin terms of the number of entries and the descriptor values.

The TMDT may be used to create a PPT in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram that illustratesthe process of creating a PPT using a TMDT in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Process 400, shown in FIG. 4,begins at operation 405 in which a data file and its associated TMDT isbroadcast to a user. For one embodiment of the invention, the TMDT iscreated prior to broadcast by automatically extracting features from thedata file. The TMDT is then broadcast with its associated data file. Themapping of the TMDT to its associated data file is maintained at theclient system. For alternative embodiments of the invention the TMDT maybe broadcast separately, and then associated with the data file at thetime of consumption.

At operation 410, feedback is received from the user. The feedback isprovided while the user is consuming the data file. One embodiment ofthe present invention, employs a mechanism through which the userprovides feedback during the consumption of the data file. That is, atany point during the consumption of the data file the user may providefeedback about how much he likes or dislikes what he is currentlyconsuming. For example, if the user was viewing a movie, the feedbackmay relate to a particular scene. If the user was listening to music,the feedback may relate to a particular score. Such feedback may beprovided explicitly through use of a remote control or keyboard forexample. Implicit mechanisms (e.g., biometric feedback) may also beemployed.

At operation 415, the user feedback is mapped against the TMDT todetermine the user's preferred attributes. For one embodiment of theinvention, when the user input is received, a process will capture thetime at which the feedback was supplied. This time is correlated withthe TMDT. For example, suppose a user is consuming the data fileassociated with the TMDT of FIG. 3. If the user indicates a preferencefor the currently presented data file segment, and that indicationoccurs at 55 sec., the system would determine that something in thecorresponding attributes contained in the TMDT appeals to the user. Thatis, the system determines that, either an action genre, location of NewYork, or the actor Smith, or some combination of these attributesappeals to the user.

The user's feedback may also indicate a dislike for the particularsegment. The system would then determine the corresponding attributes ofthe segment to make inferences regarding attributes that the user doesnot like.

The relevance of this feedback may be determined by trial and error, orother methods, to understand which attributes, or combinations thereof,the user is responding to.

At operation 420, the attributes representing the user's preferences areused to create a PPT that is stored on the client system. An exemplaryPPT in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention isdescribed below in reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A.

Preference Profile Table (PPT)

FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate an exemplary PPT which may be updated andmaintained locally by each client in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. As an example, PPT 500, shown in FIG. 5, has beenpopulated with attribute-value pairs of TMDT 300 of FIG. 3 which werebroadcasted earlier from server as described in reference to FIG. 4. ThePPT contains the attributes that the user has shown a preference (ordislike) for. The PPT may also contain corresponding relevance valuesand believability factors.

The relevance values of PPT 500 are indicators as to how relevant theassociated attribute-value pair is for predicting the particular user'sbehavior. The relevance value indicates how likely it is for the user toprefer particular content containing a attribute value. For oneembodiment of the present invention, relevance values are within a rangeof values such as for example from −10 to 10.

The believability factors in PPT 500 are weighting factors to be appliedto specific attributes and attribute-value pairs when rating orpredicting whether a user will actually access a particular data filecontaining those attribute values. For one embodiment of the presentinvention, believability factors are within a range of values such asfor example from −10 to 10. In one embodiment of the invention, thebelievability factors may be increased for example when an attributevalue accurately predicts a data file in which the user is interested.Conversely, the believability factors may be decreased when a user isinterested in the data file, even though the particular attribute valueindicates otherwise.

Initially the relevance values and believability factors may be zero asshown in FIG. 5, and subsequently updated in response to user feedbackas shown in FIG. 5A.

For one embodiment of the present invention, the PPT is constructed fromthe aggregation of all data files and associated TMDTs that the userconsumes. Alternatively, or additionally, the PPT may be updated basedon explicit user actions such as an update request or accessingparticular data files. The PPT once constructed may be updated on aperiodic or continual basis.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, abroadcaster can use the TMDT of potential broadcast data files togetherwith the individual PPTs stored on client systems to determine broadcastschedules.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram that illustrates the process ofdetermining a broadcast schedule using the TMDTs of potential broadcastdata files and the individual PPTs of a number of users in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

Process 600, shown in FIG. 6, begins at operation 605 in which theserver broadcasts the TMDT for each potential broadcast data file to aplurality of clients. At operation 610 the TMDTs for each potentialbroadcast data file is received by one or more client systems.

At operation 615 the client system maps each of the TMDT to the PPTstored on the client to create a rating for each potential broadcastdata file. That is, the attribute-value pairs contained in the TMDT fora given potential broadcast data file are correlated with the user'spreferences contained in the PPT. The rating then, is an indication ofwhether the user will prefer the data file associated with a given TMDTbased on the user's indicated preferences in regard to previouslyconsumed data files. Because the PPT has been created and stored on theclient, the mapping of the TMDT and the PPT can be done automaticallywith no interaction from the user.

At operation 620 the rating for each potential broadcast data file istransmitted to the server. At operation 625 the server receives theratings from a plurality of client systems.

The server uses the aggregate ratings from the plurality of clients todetermine a broadcast schedule at operation 630. That is a broadcastermay choose to broadcast the data file that is, in aggregate, most highlyrated. Alternatively, aggregate ratings may be only one of many factorsaffecting a decision to broadcast particular data files.

Individual or aggregate ratings and/or PPTs may be provided to contentproducers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Such information may assist content producers in determining ortailoring content.

In addition to being used, in conjunction with a TMDT, to determinebroadcast schedules, the PPT may be used to automatically manage thestorage resources of the particular client system.

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram that illustrates the process by which aPPT is used to automatically manage the storage resources of a clientsystem in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Process 700, shown in FIG. 7, begins at operation 705 in which a clientsystem receives a TMDT associated with a broadcast data file. The TMDTmay be received by itself, or with its associated broadcast data file.

At operation 710, the client system compares the TMDT with the PPTstored on the client to create a rating for the associated broadcastdata file. The rating is created as described above in reference to FIG.6 and indicates whether the user will be interested in the broadcastdata file.

At operation 715, the rating is used to automatically determine whetheror not the data file should be stored. For example, a particular clientsystem may have the capacity to store four feature length movies. If thestorage capacity is reached, the system evaluates the ratings of eachstored data file and may delete previously stored data files in order tostore subsequently received data files having a higher rating. In thisway the data files that the user is most interested in will be stored infavor of data files that are less interesting to the user.

For one embodiment of the present invention, the client system may beset with a threshold rating indicating that the user is not interestedin data files having a lower rating. Any broadcast data files having arating, as determined by a mapping of the TMDT to the PPT, that is belowthe threshold will not be captured regardless of available storageresources.

In the foregoing specification, the specific exemplary embodiments ofthe invention have been described. It will, however, be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made thereto without departingfrom the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: broadcasting, to a user, aplurality of data files, each data file having associated therewith atemporal metadata table, the temporal metadata table having time indexedentries, each time indexed entry containing metadata including anattribute-value pair to describe a segment of the corresponding datafile; receiving feedback from the user and capturing a time at which thefeedback is provided, the feedback indicating the user's preferences inregard to at least one segment of a first data file; correlating thetime of feedback with a time indexed entry in the temporal metadatatable; comparing the feedback with the metadata in the temporal metadatatable referenced by the correlated time indexed entry to determine userpreferences in terms of the metadata describing the at least one segmentof the first data file; wherein the feedback is explicit feedbackprovided by the user during the presentation of the first data file;using the user's preferences in terms of metadata to create a userpreference profile table, the user preference profile table including atleast one entry, each entry comprising: the attribute-value pair, arelevance value indicating relevance of the attribute-value pair inpredicting user behavior, wherein the relevance value indicates thelikelihood that the user will prefer a segment having theattribute-value pair, and an adjustable believability factor to beapplied as a weighting factor to the attribute-value pair to predict aprobability of the user accessing a data file having the attribute-valuepair; creating a rating for each data file by correlating the associatedtemporal metadata table with the user preference profile table;broadcasting, to a plurality of users, a plurality of temporal metadatatables, each temporal metadata table associated with a correspondingdata file; receiving, from one or more users, one or more ratings for asecond data file; determining a broadcast schedule based on the one ormore ratings for the second data file; and selecting at least one datafile for broadcast based upon the broadcast schedule.
 2. An apparatuscomprising: a processor having circuitry to execute instructions; acommunications interface coupled to the processor, to broadcast datafrom a server system to one or more client systems; a storage devicecoupled to the processor, having executable instructions stored therein,which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to broadcasta plurality of data files, each data file having associated therewith atemporal metadata table, the temporal metadata table having time indexedentries, each time indexed entry containing metadata including anattribute-value pair to describe a segment of the corresponding datafile; receive user feedback from one or more client systems, and capturea time at which the feedback is provided, the feedback indicating auser's preferences in regard to at least one segment of a first datafile; compare the feedback with the metadata in the temporal metadatatable referenced by the correlated time indexed entry to determine userpreferences in terms of the metadata describing the at least one segmentof the first data file; wherein the feedback is explicit feedbackprovided by the user during the presentation of the first data file; usethe user's preferences in terms of metadata to create a user preferenceprofile table, the user preference profile table including at least oneentry, each entry comprising: the attribute-value pair, a relevancevalue indicating relevance of the attribute-value pair in predictinguser behavior, wherein the relevance value indicates the likelihood thatthe user will prefer a segment having the attribute-value pair, and anadjustable believability factor to be applied as a weighting factor tothe attribute-value pair to predict a probability of the user accessinga data file having the attribute-value pair; create a rating for eachdata file by correlating the associated temporal metadata table with theuser preference profile table; broadcast, to a plurality of clientsystems, a plurality of temporal metadata tables, each temporal metadatatable associated with a corresponding data file; receive, from one ormore client systems, one or more ratings for a second data file;determine a broadcast schedule based on the one or more ratings for thesecond data file; and select at least one data file for broadcast basedupon the broadcast schedule.
 3. A method comprising: receiving atemporal metadata table, the temporal metadata table associated with adata file, the temporal metadata table having time indexed entries, eachtime indexed entry containing metadata including an attribute-value pairto describe a segment of the data file; comparing the temporal metadatatable to a user preference profile table, the user preference profiletable indicating user preferences in terms of metadata describing atleast one segment of the data file, the user preference profile tableincluding at least one entry, each entry comprising: the attribute-valuepair, a relevance value indicating relevance of the attribute-value pairin predicting user behavior, wherein the relevance value indicates thelikelihood that the user will prefer a segment having theattribute-value pair, and an adjustable believability factor to beapplied as a weighting factor to the attribute-value pair to predict aprobability of the user accessing a data file having the attribute-valuepair; creating a rating for the data file by correlating the associatedtemporal metadata table with the user preference profile table;automatically determining to store the data file based upon the rating,wherein automatically determining to store the data file based upon therating includes automatically determining to discard one or morepreviously stored data files, if the previously stored data files havelower ratings than the data file; and transmitting one or more ratingsfor a second data file to a server operative to determine a broadcastschedule based on the one or more ratings for the second data file andselect at least one data file for broadcast based upon the broadcastschedule; wherein the user preferences contain explicit feedbackprovided by the user during the presentation of the data file, wherein atime of the feedback is captured when the feedback is provided, and thetime of feedback is correlated with the time indexed entry in thetemporal metadata table.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the temporalmetadata table is received with the data file associated therewith.
 5. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium that provides executableinstructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method comprising: receiving a temporal metadata table, thetemporal metadata table associated with a data file, the temporalmetadata table having time indexed entries, each time indexed entrycontaining metadata including an attribute-value pair to describe asegment of the data file; comparing the temporal metadata table to auser preference profile table, the user preference profile tableindicating user preferences in terms of metadata describing at least onesegment of the data file, the user preference profile table including atleast one entry, each entry comprising: the attribute-value pair, arelevance value indicating relevance of the attribute-value pair inpredicting user behavior, wherein the relevance value indicates thelikelihood that the user will prefer a segment having theattribute-value pair, and an adjustable believability factor to beapplied as a weighting factor to the attribute-value pair to predict aprobability of the user accessing a data file having the attribute-valuepair; creating a rating for the data file by correlating the associatedtemporal metadata table with the user preference profile table;automatically determining to store the data file based upon the rating,wherein automatically determining to store the data file based upon therating includes automatically determining to discard one or morepreviously stored data files, if the previously stored data files havelower ratings than the data file; and transmitting one or more ratingsfor a second data file to a server operative to determine a broadcastschedule based on the one or more ratings for the second data file andselect at least one data file for broadcast based upon the broadcastschedule; wherein the user preferences contain explicit feedbackprovided by the user during the presentation of the data file, wherein atime of the feedback is captured when the feedback is provided, and thetime of feedback is correlated with the time indexed entry in thetemporal metadata table.
 6. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 5, wherein the temporal metadata table is received withthe data file associated therewith.
 7. An apparatus comprising: aprocessor having circuitry to execute instructions; a communicationsinterface coupled to the processor, to receive broadcast data from aserver; a storage device coupled to the processor, having executableinstructions stored therein, which, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to receive a temporal metadata table, the temporalmetadata table associated with a data file, the temporal metadata tablehaving time indexed entries, each entry containing metadata including anattribute-value pair to describe a segment of the data file; compare thetemporal metadata table to a user preference profile table, the userpreference profile table indicating user preferences in terms ofmetadata describing at least one segment of the data file; the userpreference profile table including at least one entry, each entrycomprising: the attribute-value pair, a relevance value indicatingrelevance of the attribute-value pair in predicting user behavior,wherein the relevance value indicates the likelihood that the user willprefer a segment having the attribute-value pair, and an adjustablebelievability factor to be applied as a weighting factor to theattribute-value pair to predict a probability of the user accessing adata file having the attribute-value pair; create a rating for the datafile by correlating the associated temporal metadata table with theuser's preference profile table; automatically determine to store thedata file based upon the rating, wherein automatically determining tostore the data file based upon the rating includes automaticallydetermining to discard one or more previously stored data files, if thepreviously stored data files have lower ratings than the data file; andtransmit one or more ratings for a second data file to a serveroperative to determine a broadcast schedule based on the one or moreratings for the second data file and select at least one data file forbroadcast based upon the broadcast schedule; wherein the userpreferences contain explicit feedback provided by the user during thepresentation of the first data file, wherein a time of the feedback iscaptured when the feedback is provided, and the time of feedback iscorrelated with the time indexed entry in the temporal metadata table.8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the temporal metadata table isreceived with the data file associated therewith.
 9. A systemcomprising: a server processing system configured to broadcast aplurality of data files and corresponding temporal metadata tables, eachtemporal metadata table having a plurality of time indexed entries, eachtime indexed entry containing metadata including an attribute-value pairto describe a segment of the corresponding data file; the serverprocessing system is further configured to use preferences of a user tocreate a user preference profile table, the user preference profiletable including at least one entry, each entry comprising: theattribute-value pair, a relevance value indicating relevance of theattribute-value pair in predicting user behavior, wherein the relevancevalue indicates the likelihood that the user will prefer a segmenthaving the attribute-value pair, and an adjustable believability factorto be applied as a weighting factor to the attribute-value pair topredict a probability of the user accessing a data file having theattribute-value pair, the user preference profile table compared tosubsequently broadcast temporal metadata tables associated with apotential broadcast data file to provide a rating for the potentialbroadcast data file, wherein the rating is used to determine a broadcastschedule and to determine whether to broadcast the potential broadcastdata file according to the broadcast schedule; a plurality of clientprocessing systems configured to receive the plurality of data files andcorresponding temporal metadata tables from the server processingsystem, the server processing system further configured to acceptfeedback from the user such that the user may provide feedback duringthe presentation of the data files, the feedback indicating the user'spreferences in regard to metadata describing at least one segment of adata file, wherein a time of the feedback is captured when the feedbackis provided, and the time of feedback is correlated with the timeindexed entry in the temporal metadata table.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the preference profile table is compared to a temporal metadatatable, associated with a broadcast data file, to automatically determineto store the broadcast data file.